So you’ve got a car equipped with a GPF / PPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter / Petrol Particulate Filter) and you want it removed / deleted? Is it legal? Do you have to remap the car?  Want to know more? You’ve come to the right place.

Since our DPF removal FAQs have been so popular with diesel drivers, we thought it only right to help out fellow petrol-powered cousins who are looking to remove their GPF / PPF filters for good.

What is a GPF / PPF?

(Taken from our page  The Gasoline Particulate Filter FAQ)

A GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) is an inline exhaust filter designed to capture soot particulates in direct injection petrol engines (GDI). Much like a DPF, it comprises of a honeycomb-like filter structure made from a synthetic ceramic material.

As exhaust gasses pass through the filter, soot particles are captured. These filters are highly efficient, capturing in excess of 90% of airborne particulates which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

In Germany, theses filters are referred to as Otto particle filter (Ottopartikelfilter or OPF)

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Why remove / Delete the GPF / PPF?

There are a number of reasons why drivers are looking to remove their filters. In no particular order…

Will I need to have my car remaped?

Removing the GPF filter from the exhaust system will more than likely trigger an EML / ECU warning. Without the filter, sensors will either fail / or provide the ECU with incorrect readings. This will result in an engine management light /warning (EML). It’s expected that the vehicle will fail into limp home mode / reduced power mode to protect the engine.

Remapping the vehicle’s ECU will be required to remove the sensors / GPF system and prevent the ECU from flagging an error. This remapping is normally combined with other changes to the ECU to improve engine performance.

Much like the removal of the DPF / CAT – the GPF will allow exhaust gasses to flow much more freely, further helping improve both performance and in some cases engine efficiency.

Will my car fail its MOT?

Yes. Any modification a vehicle’s emissions system will result in an instant MOT failure. It may be possible to remove the “guts” of the filter and carefully weld back up the unit without raising suspicions.

The removal of the GPF could also cause an engine management warning light (EML) – again, this is also an MOT failure.

Is it legal?

GPF / PFF removal is normally advertised for “off-road use only”. Tampering with a road-going vehicle’s emissions system is illegal and could invalidate your insurance if you’re caught up in an accident. You have been warned.

Can I do it myself?

GPF / PPF removal can be a simple as fitting a bypass pipe / new exhaust system or requiring some delicate surgery with a welder. What might not be so simple is removing/remapping the vehicle to prevent it from going into limp home mode. We suggest that you consult a specialist/owners club for more advice for your specific vehicle.

Lets hear from you!

It’s still early days for the issues surrounding GPF reliability and removal. Please let us know your experiences/thoughts in the comments below

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Check out our other pages covering GPF / PPF issues